A movie directed by Vittorio De Sica. Starring Fabio Testi, Helmut Berger, Dominique Sanda, Lino Capolicchio, Romolo Valli
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Giorgio Bassani’s birth, the Italian Cultural Institute will screen the film adaptation of the most popular novel written by the Italian writer.
Only some friends are allowed into the wealthy house and its beautiful garden owned by the Jewish Finzi-Contini family in Ferrara before World War II. The racial laws have been declared and Jewish people are forced to live a separate life from other Italians. Giorgio is a friend of the beautiful Micòl Finzi Contini ever since they were children. Despite their different social status, the youths meet each other in a huge garden where they play tennis together with other friends. Eventually Giorgio starts to feel something more for the girl who doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. Meanwhile the war breaks out and day by day things get worse till the tragic end. Social differences, loneliness, betrayed hopes, the dream which won’t become true: these are the themes and the feelings described by Bassani, a Jewish man belonging to the Jewish community that was going through a harsh moment in history. Il giardino dei Finzi Contini directed by Vittorio De Sica won several awards, among which an Oscar Award for Best Foreign Film, two Nastro d’Argento Awards, David Di Donatello Award and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.